A complement of 24 Sea Harriers permits two twelve-aircraft squadrons. Each could maintain two aircraft in the air, sustaining a four-aircraft combat air patrol over the group. Additional fighters would normally be ready to launch from the deck. The squadrons could alternate responsibility for keeping aircraft configured for surface strike. The enlarged air group could therefore combine continuous protection with a strike reserve.
Notable Point · 1:32:34-1:33:13
Two Sea Harrier squadrons share patrol and strike readiness
Two squadrons of twelve could sustain a four-aircraft patrol while sharing the task of keeping strike aircraft ready on deck.